I could barely evade Jinhyung's slashes. Each time I was on the edge, he pushed even harder.

What a cruel bastard. Before he started this 'training' he brought me to a small lake inside the first car.

He threw me inside the water and quickly ran on the surface asaulting me, that was his 'training'.

"You adapted too well to this world, you escaped the purpose of this level," he shouted between 2 slashes.

Each time I dodged, I went slightly backward, the water was already at knee level. How did he walk on water?

The water restrained my movements more and more, and the last couple of attacks dug into my clothes, luckily I still managed to avoid them.

"What is the meaning of this? Learning how to dodge swords? I am already doing it!"

"During the first challenge, you probably found clean water and then calmly meditated for a month, right? This is why you have such a neutered understanding of magic. Others, like the crystal bitch, all neared death here. They all reached their body's limit."

"How did you...?"

"When you met after the challenge, you were clean and rather healthy looking, you could only achieve that with water and sustain yourself with Qi."

"Why does that matter?"

"In their dying moments, rare and talented souls, awaken an inner force stemming from their past, their techniques. I was a bit different as I had a martial foundation, but I too lived trough an awakening when my thirst overcame me."

"How did you...?"

Upon the end of his explanation, he gathered a hefty amount of strength in his blade and released it all at once at me.

A strong wave of heat scattered through the lake, I could offset the heat but the water around me steamed out. Luckily, he used no techniques, I doubted that I could block his white flames.

I quickly ran to the beach before water didn't came back, wetting me again.

Jinhyung quietly leaped about a dozen meters and landed near me. Since when was he so strong?

Even against Lillian with the strength of the Chimera King's core, he didn't move so fast.

He had truly tremendous talent. I wonder how steeper his growth rate would have to be to catch up to 'King.'

We both grabbed magic potions, we stocked on them before coming here.

The sun was high in the sky and the temperature was ramping, the blueish potions were very refreshing albeit having a chemical taste.

The first car appeared beautiful. So gorgeous, I even forgot by times that I had less than a week to create a spell.

If I failed to do so, I would be too weak to compete against the likes of Irina or even Pierre.

The endless green forest flowed like a river between high rocky mounts.

The chants of birds welcoming each dawn and the cries of thunder cleaving through the skies.

Sometimes I wondered, shouldn't we live here instead of on the 'Rest Train'? But sadly, we would be far too vulnerable here as anyone could attack us in our sleep.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

"So, how will I create a spell? I don't think I have that kind of talent."

"You don't, after trying for two days already, I failed to do so. You will have to resort to learning Lillian's spell."

I was worried about such a way, even before I wondered what would happen if I learned from a sentient book.

I hoped she would cooperate and that nothing wrong happens. I didn't exactly want to end up possessed by her.

I took out Lillian and infused her with some magic.

[Uheuh, I was sleeping so well. What's the matter?]

Jinhyung's face distorted, but less than usual. Since Lillian saved me from Irina I felt as if he tolerated her a little bit more.

I was happy my companions were getting along, we couldn't continue if we fought inside wars.

"We need your help. Teach me your magic."

[Haha, you finally found resolve? I knew that would happen. But I doubt you could efficiently use my fog.]

"How come?"

[Well, it is a vampiric spell, after all, you need a lifetime of mastery to use it without a blood medium like I do. So you would have to absorb your foe's blood or use your own]

Becoming a vampire was way too far, and using my own blood could be a last resort but not a reliable weapon.

Jinhyung finally opened his mouth.

"The black chains you used against me. What about them?"

True, she used chains against Jinhyung and Irinia, they were not made from her red fog.

[It is not my spell, I could only use it after I became a book. It is actually my father's.]

Her voice was breaking, was it hard for her to talk about her father?

Did she love him that much so even as much as the idea to kill him made her this fragile? Then why did she accept my deal? Something changed definitely changed with her.

"Can't I learn it anyway?"

[It's too complex, learning such an elaborate seal would require hundreds of years, even I, can only use it because it is written inside me.]

Seal?

[I am sorry, can we talk sometime later? I don't feel well right now.]

"It's ok I will let you some energy, poke me when you're ready."

[Thank you.]

She closed herself and landed slowly on the beach near where we sat.

"What do we do now?" I asked, looking quite desperate.

We had 3 days left and Lillian didn't have any spells I could learn.

"You could become a vampire…"

"Never."

----------------------------------------

We sat in this dumb silence for quite a bit. The sun was already giving its last rays. Jinhyung then stood up and started walking away.

"I will go practice my Dawnbringer's stance for a bit. Will be back by morning."

Strange, usually he would practice with me.

When I opened my mouth to interrogate him, he was already gone.

[Hey…]

Lillian poked into my thigh.

"What's up? You feel better?"

[Not really, but I don't want to be lonely.]

"You waited for Jinhyung to go away?"

I could see explosions of white flames in the distant pine crowns. Scared birds flew away like a black cloud.

[No… yes.]

I knew Jinhhyung disliked her, but I thought she didn't care that much about that.

"Why?"

[I know how to make you stronger quickly, but he would be against it.]

He already suggested becoming a vampire, I wonder what horrors she wanted to try on me.

[If you let me inside you, I could lend you my spells.]

Oh, I see. Yeah, he would be totally against that and I too was not too interested.

"You will possess me?"

[No, no, we simply connect our souls, this way you could access my spells, and I couldn't use your body unless you lose consciousness or consent to it.]

"How can I be sure you won't try to take over?"

[Well, the soul connection would be broken if one of the parties refused it, so if I go against your will you can simply break the link. Above all, you are the one to sustain me with energy. Without your magic, I cannot remain conscious.]

This sounded promising, if I really could use her strength without any downsides, this could be good.

Although I felt a bit bad betraying my resolve to not use shortcuts anymore.

[One more thing, your soul will slowly adapt itself to my spells, so after some time you will inherit my powers. And…]

This was even better, not only could I become strong without much effort, but I would get stronger myself.

[You will be subjected to my memories while we are linked.]

"What?"

[I will see yours too.]

I had nothing to hide, my previous life was boring and mundane as hell. And I was even quite interested in Lillian's past.

She spoke quietly, as she was sobbing. But she obviously couldn't cry a she was a book.

"You don't want me to see your past?"

[It's not that, I fear what I might remember.]

I guess after living for centuries some parts of your mind would be lost to time.

"It's ok, I am here, I'll share the pain if anything."

[O then, I'll trust you once more.]

She flew up and opened her pages before my palm.

[Put your hand and close your eyes.]

I slowly did as I instructed.

Once my fingertips touched the aged paper, the world around me sank and a deep void swallowed me.